What hardiness zones is Lactuca sativa var. capitata suitable for?

Lactuca sativa var. capitata is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

What are the sun requirements for Lactuca sativa var. capitata?

Lactuca sativa var. capitata requires Full Sun.

How much water does Lactuca sativa var. capitata need?

Lactuca sativa var. capitata has High water needs.

Vegetables

Lactuca sativa var. capitata

Head Lettuce

Asteraceae

Mediterranean basin (species origin); cultivated globally

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitMounding

FoliageDeciduous

Height6-10 inches (15-25 cm)

Width10-12 inches (25-30 cm)

Maturity1 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 10

Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Zone 8 Zone 9 Zone 10

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

What's my zone? →

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Container Friendly

Maintenancehigh

Overview

Lactuca sativa var. capitata encompasses crisphead (iceberg) and butterhead lettuce types in the family Asteraceae. Crisphead types form dense firm spherical heads 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) in diameter, with pale green tightly packed crisp leaves. Over 70% of US lettuce acreage is crisphead, primarily in California and Arizona. Days to maturity: 70-85 from direct sow (crisphead). Requires a long cool growing window of 70-85 days below 75°F (24°C), which makes the crisphead group challenging for home gardeners in warm climates. Bolts rapidly in heat. In the Pacific Northwest, seed is started indoors in late January, transplanted in March, and harvested in June. Susceptible to tipburn, bottom rot, and aphids.

Native Range

Lactuca sativa is derived from L. serriola, native to the Mediterranean basin.

Suggested Uses

A common salad and sandwich lettuce. Crisp texture suits shredded salads and burger toppings. Stores 2-3 weeks refrigerated. Not suited to short-season or warm-summer climates without season extension.

How to Identify

Crisphead: dense firm spherical head of pale green crisp leaves. Separated from romaine by the spherical (not upright elongated) head shape. Separated from leaf lettuce by the head-forming (not loose-leaf) habit.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 10"

Width/Spread10" - 1'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Yellow flowers when bolting; harvest occurs before flowering since bolting turns leaves bitter.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow; daisy-family composite; on bolting plants only

Foliage Description

Pale green inner; medium green outer; thick crisp leaves; deciduous

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun Partial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam silt

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

70-85 days

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Transplants are started 6-8 weeks before last frost. Spaced 12 inches (30 cm) apart. Full sun, moist soil at pH 6.0-7.0. Watered 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) per week. The crisphead group requires a sustained cool window of 70-85 days below 75°F (24°C). In short or warm growing seasons, butterhead and leaf types are more reliable.